“So… our family has become a Count’s House? Is that what you’re saying?”
“That’s right. A messenger came from the royal castle two days ago.”
With a knife and fork busily moving about, Rudell asked, and Carlos nodded in response.
At the same time, Rudell felt a throbbing in his head.
Of course, he wasn’t completely clueless about the situation.
The incident at the Sabbath Festival.
Things had been so chaotic that it slipped by unnoticed, but Rudell and Leje had actually saved the first in line for the throne, the Princess, from assassination.
Receiving a title and a royal medal should have left no room for objection from anyone, but…
‘In this situation, stirring up a fuss would only cause trouble…’
The very reason Jade and Kaylee asked about the assassination incident was to avoid giving a pretext for faction fights between the Royalist Faction and the Nobility Faction.
Thus, they couldn’t hold an event that would draw attention, like a medal ceremony.
“Your ancestors would be proud of you.”
“I just did what I had to do…”
With a proud face looking at him, Carlos, Rudell let out a low chuckle while putting the finely cut steak into his mouth.
“By the way, what’s the deal with the Duke’s House deciding to invest in our territory?”
“Honestly, that surprised me too. Though our family belongs to the Duke’s faction, we’re not exactly in a significant position.”
“Hmm…”
Seeing Carlos respond with a puzzled expression, a low groan escaped Rudell’s lips.
– Well… maybe it’s because my only friend has never seen his face…
The only possibility Rudell could think of now was his relationship with Leje.
Essentially, she was his only friend.
But…
“Thinking about it, could it be related to your relationship with the Duchess? Just a thought…”
“That’s pushing it too far. This is…”
An investment that would completely revamp a territory.
Even for a Duke’s House, that wouldn’t be an easy decision to make.
Carlos and Rudell began to frown and immerse themselves in thought…
“Hoho…”
“My lady?”
“Mother?”
As Maria watched them, she let out a laugh, and both looked at her with puzzled expressions.
“Our men take after each other too much, it’s a problem.”
“My lady, what do you mean all of a sudden…?”
“Your son comes back, and there’s big news for the family, and you two are just going to sit and ponder?”
“Hmm…”
At her words, Carlos let out a low groan, followed by a short exhale, his previously stiff expression softening.
“I guess your mother is right; let’s think about that later. Today, let’s celebrate your return.”
“Yes, Father.”
Indeed. This is how the Count House of Weinstein… no, the Count’s House should be.
With a cheerful voice, Carlos raised his glass, and as he and Maria smiled, Rudell wore a gentle smile.
*
That evening.
“Wow… I really can’t recognize this place…”
Strolling through the completely transformed streets, Rudell couldn’t help but say that.
In the past, what was merely a larger rural village has now grown into a proper city.
Once deserted streets were bustling due to the streetlights, with countless people hurrying about.
Despite it being night, shops remained open, and newcomers to the village were sitting in pubs, chatting boisterously.
A scene unimaginable in the old Duchy…
“This is the newly built square ahead. If you head towards Mr. Pernum’s general store, there’s a newly established shopping district, and if you go the other way, there’s a temple.”
“If you hadn’t come with me, I would have gotten lost for sure…”
Following behind Rudell, Kyle’s words prompted a low groan from Rudell.
If he had come alone, he would have undeniably gotten lost.
“My lord, you’ll quickly get used to it.”
“Well… that might be a bit difficult…”
For now, at least, it seemed like it would be tough.
Thinking that, Rudell let out an awkward chuckle.
Just then…
“Oops! Who do we have here!? Is that you, my lord!!”
“Huh? Mr. Barje!”
At the familiar voice nearby, Rudell turned his head, and what he saw was an elderly man.
Dressed in an ordinary outfit, with gray hair and a wrinkled face.
His very kind expression hadn’t changed much from what Rudell remembered before entering the Academy.
His name was Barje.
In the past, before Rudell entered the Academy, he had been the representative of the Village Chief’s Council, which gathered representatives from various villages in the Duchy.
“It’s been a while.”
“I heard you returned. Welcome back.”
In a warm tone, Barje greeted Rudell with a gentle smile.
“By the way, it’s late at night. What are you doing here?”
“I’m investigating the list of items needed by other villages, as the Count’s Domain has grown so large that we need a lot of supplies.”
“I see…”
That was a perfectly understandable statement.
Nodding along with his answer, Rudell responded.
“You look quite dashing since I last saw you. Hehe.”
“Ah~ it hasn’t even been half a year.”
“What are you talking about? You seem quite tall now.”
“Is that so?”
Who would dislike being told they’ve grown tall?
Rudell wore a light smile and made a joke.
“So, how’s the investigation going?”
“It’s almost done. Tomorrow morning, I’ll report to the Count… I mean… the Count.”
“Would it be alright if I took a look?”
“Hm? Are you planning to prepare to succeed the Count already?”
“Well, it’s something I’ll have to do sooner or later.”
Playfully asking, Rudell replied while taking the documents handed to him.
“Hmmm…”
With a low groan, he began reading the documents…
‘As expected… deals with the trading guilds wouldn’t be made that easily…’
Looking at the lists filling the papers, Rudell couldn’t help but think that.
After all, the Duke had decided to invest in the Duchy half a year ago.
Sure, the Duke must have arranged for some trading guilds to do business, but even large trading guilds wouldn’t be able to bring all the necessary items to such a remote area in just half a year.
Given that the region had been so underdeveloped, even a small amount of progress would lead to an enormous list of needed goods.
“While the Duke did arrange trading guilds, those not included refuse to come to such a remote area, and even the ones he arranged are often delaying deliveries due to their arrogance.”
“So they’re looking down on us.”
Even if a trading guild was arranged by the Duke, at the end of the day, they were still merchants.
Counting on the idea that nobody would voice legitimate complaints from the Duchy to the Duke’s Domain, they likely aimed to raise the prices of the supplies.
That was the only thing Rudell could think of.
“Tsk…”
It’s always the merchants who act this way when they get a bit of swagger.
Thinking that, Rudell clicked his tongue.
Even though he was a Count now, he used to be just a lord in the Duchy.
To those trading guilds with the financial power to buy out even small territories, it must seem laughably insignificant.
‘There must be a good solution…’
Thinking that, Rudell fell deep into thought.
There was the option to talk to Leje directly, but he wanted to keep that as a last resort.
After all, he couldn’t rely on her every time he needed something.
“Hmm…”
Figuring out how to deal with the haughty trading guilds while solving the supply shortage in the Count’s Domain…
‘Something might just come to mind…’
As Rudell’s expression began to frown, Kyle and Barje watched him with worried looks.
It was then that…
“Wait a minute…”
Suddenly, an idea flashed across Rudell’s mind, and he quickly started crunching numbers mentally.
And after a few minutes…
“Mr. Barje, would you let me handle this?”
“Huh? Are you talking, my lord? What are you planning to do…?”
Barje’s voice was stunned at Rudell’s suggestion, and as he looked at him, Rudell grinned and said:
“I have an idea.”
At the same time, Rudell gazed towards the towering Bladehook Mountain Range located to the west of the Count’s Domain.
